Leeds Rhinos boss gives Jake Connor verdict with ‘reputation’ addressed

Coach Brad Arthur has issued praise and a warning to one of Leeds Rhinos’ star signings.

Arthur reckons Jake Connor has shown positive signs in training and his one game so far, but insists there are things the former England man still needs to work on before the season begins next month.

Connor joined Leeds Rhinos in October after being released from the final year of his contract at Huddersfield Giants and has been “a handy addition to our squad”, according to the team boss.

“He gives us a bit more depth and more competition for spots in our backline,” Arthur said. “There’s nine or 10 of them that have to fit into seven spots, so that’s healthy for me as a coach. It keeps them all on their toes, they all know they have to play well and be consistent.

“Jake has been part of that. Whether he plays full-back, centre or in the halves, he gives us a few options.”

Though Connor’s temperament has been questioned at times in the past, Arthur insisted the number 18 is starting his Leeds career with a clean slate.

“The luxury for me is I have got here not knowing anything about anyone,” he stressed.

“I don’t have any preconceived ideas about any of the players – I can only treat him and judge him on what I see and what he does for us.

“I have treated him the same as everyone else, I want him to be competitive and to have that drive.

“I have pushed him hard at training and challenged him on different parts of it and there’s a certain standard and expectation he needs to meet, as every player does in our squad.

“He is doing all that, so I don’t have any preconceived ideas about his previous reputation.”

The 30-year-old, who had two stints with Huddersfield either side of six seasons at Hull FC, is likely to be at full-back when Rhinos play host to Wigan Warriors in Ash Handley’s testimonial game on Sunday.

He was due to start at centre when Leeds opened their pre-season campaign against Wakefield Trinity at Christmas, but switched to full-back after Alfie Edgell was injured in training and also had a spell in the halves.

Arthur felt Connor “played well”, but – despite his two-try performance – the coach warned he “still has a few things to work on”.

Arthur stressed: “He has worked hard in the pre-season on himself physically and still has a bit more work to do there so he can play the style of footy and the game we need him to play.”